Healthy Snack Foods: The Navel Orange
Much has been made of the growing obesity problem in the United States. America has the dubious distinction of being named the fattest nation on earth. A full third of her population is obese, while two-thirds are merely overweight. Furthermore, a shocking rise in childhood obesity threatens to reach epidemic proportions within the decade.
What is the problem? Before we begin, it is important to note that this is not merely an American problem. Many European countries like England and Ireland have reported shocking increases in obesity rates over the past few years. With that said, America is clearly the worst offender. And the explanation for her growing waistband may just be the snacks.
Though diet professionals often complicate their programs in order to attract attention, the process really is quite simple. If you consume more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. And believe it or not, the meals are not the problem. It is what people consume between meals that can cause them to gain wait.
Snacks are empty calories that Americans consume far more than any other nationality. A brisk walk down the snack section of any local supermarket will tell you all you need to know. Americans love their sweet and salty snacks. In the rest of this article we will present a tasty and nutritious alternative to unhealthy snack foods.
The first step that you must take is to admit that all traditional snack foods are basically bad for you. One of the greatest canards in marketing history is low fat snack foods. Yes, they have fewer calories, but because they don’t satisfy, people tend to overeat and consume more calories than if they had stuck with the original.
What should you do? If you truly love to snack and cannot give it up, we suggest you switch to fruit. We know, fruit is supposed to be a health food. But most fruits are just as sweet and as satisfying as cookies or ice cream. The only difference is that fruit has natural sugars along with vitamins and other essential nutrients.
One of the most popular snacking fruits that we reviewed is the navel orange. Always a favorite with American consumers, the navel orange can be found in almost any supermarket in the land. Because it has more natural sugars than most varieties, it is incredibly sweet. Of course, it is still an orange.
What makes the navel orange good for you? Like all oranges, the navel is an excellent source of Vitamin C, which works as a powerful antioxidant that may reduce the risk of certain kinds of cancer. The navel orange is also a good source of dietary fiber. Fiber, as you may know, has been shown to improve digestive system by encouraging regular bowel movements.
Last but not least, the navel orange is fat, sodium and cholesterol-free. It is also low in calories with only around 120 calories per serving.
Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves
At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.
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